The Health Navigator Program (HNP) was a pilot health mentor intervention program for youth in British Columbia, Canada, with connections to the provincial child welfare system. In this article, youth participants are referred to as "independent youth" as they are independent of traditional familial care. Children and youth in the foster…

This article describes an infant and early childhood mental health-informed therapeutic visitation program that offers clinical support, systems-level advocacy, and developmentally appropriate guidance to families navigating the child welfare and family court systems. The program offers treatment, permanency, and placement planning for infants,…

Abuse or neglect and disability often go hand in hand. Unfortunately, most professionals who work with maltreated young children are not aware of early childhood and disability-related resources and services available. In order to raise awareness across early childhood and child welfare systems, a five-week advanced training for volunteer child…

Family-to-family services are emerging as an important adjunctive service to traditional mental health care and a vehicle for improving parent engagement and service use in children's mental health services. In New York State, a growing workforce of Family Peer Advocates (FPA) is delivering family-to-family services. We describe the development…

In 2005, an estimated 48 million children aged 0-18 years--12 percent of all children in sub-Saharan Africa--were orphans, and that number is expected to rise to 53 million by 2010. One quarter of all orphans are orphaned because of AIDS, and about 2.6 million children are currently infected with HIV. Untreated, most children born with HIV will…

This annual report describes the information, technical assistance, and support the Children's Defense Fund (CDF) has provided during 1996. The report also describes the legislative agenda pursued as well as the cooperative projects engaged in. The first section of the report, "Stand Follow-up Action," describes the Stand for Children…

This 25th anniversary annual report of the Children's Defense Fund (CDF) describes the work the organization has done to advocate for and educate the United States about the needs of children. The report begins by identifying the CDF's Board of Directors, Fund Management Team, dedication message from the CDF's current president, and the…

"Count Us In: Improving the education of our looked after children" is the latest publication in the series "Count Us In," which deals with different aspects of inclusive education. The report aims to help local authorities and partner agencies to improve outcomes for looked after children. Local authorities have been working…

In 1994, the Carnegie Corporation called for an action agenda to promote responsible parenthood, guarantee quality child care choice, ensure good health and protection, and mobilize communities to support young children and families. In 1996, the Corporation created the Starting Points grant program to encourage states and communities to address…

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the many diverse activities going on under the child advocacy label in order to determine if there was anything new or different about this phenomenon and to attempt some conceptual ordering of the field. Interviews were conducted with a number of people knowledgeable in children's service, and an attempt…

This paper examines how Save the Children--an international non-governmental organisation (INGO)--assesses the changes it has brought about in children's lives around the globe. The paper begins with a discussion of the role of INGOs. It moves on to examine how we know we are making a difference and gives an explanation of "Global Impact…

A comprehensive review of the Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) was undertaken in order to determine its effectiveness, compliance with legislation, and the adequacy of oversight by the sponsoring organization. The evaluation is based on more than 40 research questions designed to describe program activities, determine degrees of community support,…

In 1994, the Carnegie Corporation released "Starting Points: Meeting the Needs of Our Youngest Children," which called for an action agenda to promote responsible parenthood, guarantee quality child care choices, ensure good health and protection, and mobilize communities to support young children and families. In 1996, the Carnegie…

Evaluated the Child At Risk Field System (CARF) by comparing 207 cases of child maltreatment before and after implementation. Although the system had been imperfectly implemented, data indicated that CARF may have provided workers with a useful tool for structured decision making. It was particularly helpful to inexperienced workers. (RJM)

Safeguarders are persons with a relevant professional background who may be appointed by child welfare authorities when required to safeguard the interests of the child in the proceedings. Safeguarders offer support and advice, and provide written reports for children's hearings and sometimes for court cases. This study evaluated the use and…